The temperature was forecast to hit 90 here yesterday, so even though it’s barely May it suddenly feels like summer—and I’m feeling ready to look the part.

It wasn’t until I hit my thirties that I learned the easiest way to freshen up my look for the new season isn’t with my wardrobe, but with beauty products: beauty updates give a lot more bang for your buck, and they’re not nearly as crazy-making (or spendy).

In years past, you’d find me looking for a new lipstick or bronzer this time of year. But this year—with so much else on my mind—I’m going straight for the nail polish. It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s much easier to find a flattering shade.

It’s also cheap: even the fancy nail polish costs less than ten bucks for a bottle.

I detoured down the polish aisle at Target while I was picking up contact paper to line our new-to-us (and very dated) kitchen cabinets, and I loved what I saw. Essie is my favorite brand (pretty colors, on trend, hard to chip) but I often go for the cheaper stuff.

Polish shades that are catching my eye:

• Orange-y reds. They’re so much more fun than true reds, and are available in a bazillion beautiful (and widely flattering) shades this season. Catching my eye at Target: Essie’s Geranium, Fifth Avenue, and She’s Pampered. (I brought one of these home with me: a pretty Essie shade called e-nuf is e-nuf. Pro tip: it’s cheaper online.)

Summer’s also a great time to update your basics: try a new mascara, find the perfect lotion, upgrade your cleansers (because goodness knows sun, sand, and chlorine are plenty hard on your skin).

I chose the first door, and replaced my empty tube of Benefit’s They’re Real! (love) with volume mascara by Sante, a new-to-me company that makes natural, luxury cosmetics. that meet the Certified Natural Cosmetics guidelines. I’m really liking it so far.

I got my mascara through Gloss48, which just got a new product I’m dying to try based on the name alone: literary lacquers, and the colors are called Miss Bennet and Mr. Darcy. The duo is $20, but is on sale for $16 through tomorrow. (I believe new customers get a $10 credit, which makes them pretty darn affordable. Let me know if you try them!)

Ahhh! Now I want to go shop for nail polish. 🙂 I haven’t painted my nails in ages because I hate how quickly they get chipped with having kids. Any ideas? I also love how dark and neutral nails look on other gals, but I haven’t found a shade(s) that looks good on me. Do you have any favorite shades in those categories?

Alison, I like you HATED painting my own nails because of the quick chip issue. My hands are constantly wet due to having a 2.5 yr old and NB so between bottle, binkie, butt, hands etc washing, I need something to stick. Please try this, you won’t be disappointed.
Start with clean nails…
1. Dip a cotton ball in white distilled vinegar and rub each nail. Yes it’s stinky but the smell goes away VERY QUICKLY. The alternative which is slightly less effective is wiping your nails really good with nail polish remover.
2. Apply one coat of ESSIE ALL IN ONE 3 WAY GLAZE!! This is the best. I originally couldn’t find it so I just tried their NO CHIPS AHEAD which of course gave me chips ahead lol DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO GET THIS STUFF. I think I finally found it cvs but you can look in target, ulta, amazon.
3. Polish of your choice. Two coats. With this method I have found ANY polish to be great. One of my fav polish is funky fingers brand which is sold at a store called 5 below. Literally 3 polish’s for 5 bucks and really different funky colors.
4. Apply another coat of essie all in one
5. Apply a coat of OUT THE DOOR. You can find this at Sally’s, I’ve also bought it at big lots and even my the nail salon I used to go to several yrs ago.

I NEVER post anything to blogs but this is the best method for a no chip salon looking gel mani. Soo shiny and pretty. Def more time consuming than just polish and top coat but less time and less money than sitting on the salon. This method will get you a SOLID 2 weeks, I can’t go any longer because my nails grow very fast so I get a space between my nail bed and polish line. Since this method I’ve given up my pricey gel manis but of course still treat myself to a pedi! Whew long reply sorry!!

I slapped a little Revlon Grey Suede 705 on my toes for Easter Vigil, and I just keep going over the three toes you can see through my sandals, hahaha! It’s named grey, but it’s really just a beige-y neutral. Very pretty! I think I might just pick Revlon because it has a prettily shaped bottle. I never try other brands, but I’ll have to try the Essie Mademoiselle. It look very pretty.

Nice recommendations, Anne! I’ve heard great reviews about Geranium, and that enuf is enuf shade is going to look great on you.

I’m a big Essie fan. One of my all-time favorites is Chocolate Kisses, a deep chocolate (surprise) brown that goes well with my black, grey and navy wardrobe. Now I’m on the lookout for a light blue shade and an orangey coral this season.

I totally bought my first bottle of not-cheapo nail polish this week at Target – Essie’s Turquoise and Caicos. I love it and it’s such a fun summer shade. Someone recommended it on Twitter last summer – behold the power of social media.